Fiber distribution apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for supplying fibrous material to a plurality of fiber processing machines which are connected to a feed duct which is in turn connected to a conduit. A valve selectively connects the conduit to a source of fiber supply or to the atmosphere and pneumatic means are effective to create an air flow from the source to the feed ducts wherein fibers are conveyed through the conduit when the valve connects the conduit to the source and clean air is blown through the conduit for purging when it is connected to the atmosphere. Sensors in each feed duct and gating means associated with the feed ducts are effective together with control means and the valve to selectively convey fibers to a feed duct in which there is sensed a need for fibers.

United States Patent 1191 Roberson et a1.

[ FIBER DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS [75] Inventors: James II. Roberson; Thomas C.

Perry, Jr., both of Greenville, SC.

[21] Appl. No.: 75,400

[52] US. Cl. 302/28 [51] Int. Cl. B65g 53/08, B65g 53/36 [58] Field of Search 19/105, 105 CF; 302/1113, 27, 28, 39, 41, 42

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 463,708 11/1891 Williams et al. 302/28 2,140,128 12/1938 Craggs I 302/28 2,861,840 11/1958 Powischill et a1.) 302/11 2,964,802 12/1960 Aono et a1. 19/105 CF 3,284,140 11/1966 Reiterer 302/28 X 3,414,330 12/1968 Trutzschler.... 302/28 3,442,556 5/1969 Von Funk 1, 302/28 3,544,167 12/1970 Fuchu et al 302/27 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Pneumatic Distributor Provides Flexibility in Multiple Blending, reprinted from the June 27, 1968 issue of Americas Textile Reporter.

Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant ExaminerW. Scott Carson [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus .for supplying fibrous material to a plurality of fiber processing machines which are connected to a feed duct which is in turn connected to a conduit, A valve selectively connects the conduit to a source of fiber supply or to the atmosphere and pneumatic means are effective to create an air flow from the source to the feed ducts wherein fibers are conveyed through the conduit when the valve connects the conduit to the source and clean air is blown through the conduit for purging when it is connected to the atmosphere. Sensors in each feed duct and gating means associated with the feed ducts are effective together with control means and the valve to selectively convey fibers to a feed duct in which there is sensed a need for fibers.

9 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures 1 Dec. 3, 1974' PATENTEL HEB SHEET 16F 6 INVENTORS m m 7 II In 3 8 M d M 7.? m a mmvw mw m m/m w/ 4 M a WA F m w m 56 8 /5 w M? E O Q 2 GJ 4 4 JAMES H. ROBERSON THOMAS C. PERRY ATTORNEY FIBER DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION- This invention relates in general to a mechanism for supplying fibrous materials to a plurality of fiber processing machines such as cards or pickers and more particularly to means for pneumatically feeding the fibrous material and purging the feed lines of material.

Known fiber feeding devices feed fibers by compressed air from opening machinery through a conduit to a plurality of branching feed ducts connecting each fiber processing machine. The fibers are fed in a quantity which is greater than the quantity which can be end of the line and sometimesat the entrance of each feed duct so that the fiber laden air can be directed through as fibers are deposited in the duct. The air is I directed from the condenser via an auxiliary air duct back to the main duct. With other fiber feeding systerns, condensing means are necessary even without a taken up by the feed ducts and used by the processing altered. Two types of fiber may be carefully blended at the source of supply and may, after excessive handling, end up in unblended bunches at the end of the line. This will occur when, for example, one type of fiber is less dense than the other and travels faster in the air stream.

Excessive fiber handling also results in entangling, roping and formation of fiber snowballs.

In some prior art fiber feeding arrangements, fibers are blown along a conduit to a series of feed ducts branching off from the conduit, each feed duct supplying a fiber processing machine. A deflector is located at the entrance of each duct from the conduit for deflecting fibers into the duct. The first duct along the line receives fibers first. After the first duct is filled, fibers are then fed tothe next duct down the line and so on until all of the ducts are filled. There is a limit as to how many machines can be supplied in this fashion. The machines down at the end of the line may not be fed adequately due to the attempt of the mechanism to feed prior machines in the line.

As the number of machines increases, greater initial pressures are needed to compensate for pressure drops down the line. This causes differences in the degree of fiber packing in the feed ducts between the first and last machines in the line in addition to excessive fiber handling.

In some prior art devices, the fibers are supplied from an opening machine and pneumatically conveyed along a conduit to a plurality of feed ducts branching therefrom wherein dampers are used to control feeding of fibers to each duct. These dampers are controlled through sensing devices in the feed ducts. The dampers are operated so that fibers are directed to a particular duct in which there is a need for fibers. The amount of fibers supplied to a feed duct is limited for any one feeding so that other feed ducts may be supplied. A reserve supply is maintained in each feed duct so that the feed duct does not run out of fibers before it is supplied again. There is also an overfeed of fibers with the excess being returned through a return duct to the opening machine. As is the case with some closed loop" systems in which overfeeding is done, condensing means such as a rotary screen has to be employed at the closed loop system when air flow is created by a fan at the end of the line beyond the last duct to pull the air through the conduit. This results in excessive fiber handling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for selectively feeding fibers to a plurality of fiber processing machines alonga supplying conduit and to purge the. conduit'after each feeding without any of the above disadvantages associated with the prior art devices.

It is another objectof the inventionto supply a plurality of machines'from two or more sources of fiber supply selectively to provide production versatility.

The first object of the invention is accomplished by locating pneumatic means in the conduit between the feed ducts and the source of fiber supply for creating an air flow toward the ducts. The conduit is selectively connected to the source by a two-position valve. When the valve is in one position, fibers will be drawn into the conduitand directed toward the feed ducts and in the other position, clean air will be drawn from the outside for purging the conduit. Sensing means and gating means are associated with the feed ducts for selectively directing fibers to a feed duct in which there is a need for fibers. Control means which include the sensing means are also provided for controlling, the gating means andtwo-position valve so that each feed duct is fed fibers for a predetermined time and each such feed ing is followed by a purge of clean air.

A primary advantage of the mechanism just described is that there is no excessive handling of fibers since all the fibers during a particular feeding sequence are directed to a single feed duct and the purging after -the feed cycle cleans out any fibers remaining in the 'conduit and directs them to the feed duct. The operation of the mechanism is therefore more efficient due to reduced handling of fibers. The conduit is kept clean, thereby preventing fiber build-ups and entanglements. Fibers are not damaged and fiber blends are not altered. Since the air flow with or without fibers is directed to only one feed duct at a time and there is no return flow required, expensive condensing mechanism or the like is not required.

The second object of the invention is accomplished by arranging the machines in sets. Each set is provided with a conduit means connecting feed ducts to each machine and with pneumatic means for creating an air flow in the conduit means toward the feed ducts. By arranging the machines in three sets, two sources of fiber supply may be used, one source for feeding a first and I second set and the other source for feeding the second and third set. Selector valving means are provided for selectively connecting-the first source to the first or second sets and the second source to the second or third sets. In this way, versatility of production in a mill can be accomplished since the second set can be adjusted to handle fibers from either source. This arrangement can be further refined so that all of the controlsdiscussed above can be used and the conduit or conduits for the second set can be fed from either end,

one end from one source and the other end from the other source. The selector valving means can be made up of valves like that discussed above for controlling feeding and purging. Gating, sensing and control means can be modified so that any number of feed ducts in the second set can be supplied from either source. Production may dictate, for example, that one-fifth of the machines in the second set will be fed from one source and the remaining four-fifths will be fed from the other source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages of the inven- 7 FIG. 3 is a cross section of a portion of a fiber supplying apparatus including fiber metering means and a two-position valve;

FIG. 4 is an electrical diagram illustrating the control means for a group of fiber processing machines;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1 showing a feed duct as it is applied to a fiber processing machine;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view showing an arrangement, wherein the fibers are supplied to a plurality of groups of fiber processing machines;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view illustrating a plurality of two-position valves for controlling fiber flow to the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an'electrical diagram illustrating the control means for the arrangement shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 represents a modification, whereby three sets of machines are fed from two sources of fiber supply;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a modified gating unit for some of the machines in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11A is the first portion of an electrical wiring diagram for the modification shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11B is the second portion, on a separate sheet. of the electrical diagram for the modification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5. Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the source of fiber supply is generally indicated by the reference number 20. A series of fiber processing machines 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d are each connected to a conduit 24 by feed ducts 26.

Pneumatic means such as a fan 28 is located in con- 36 and a lower chamber 38. Duct 32 is connected to the upper portion of upper chamber 36 so that fibers conveyed from duct 32 are deposited in chamber 36. The air which conveys the fibers is allowed to escape through vents such as perforated plates or screens 40 located near the top of the chamber 36.

Effectively located between a lower opening in the upper chamber are well-known metering means such as feed rolls 42 and a rotary beater 44. Rolls 42 feed fiber therebetween from chamber 36 to the lower chamber 38. Beater 44, which is located just below the rolls, picks the fibers as they are fed from the rolls and slings them into the lower chamber.

Valve 35 includes a pivoted flap 45 which occupies one of two positions, the first of which is shown in full lines in FIG. 3 whereby conduit 24 is opened to the atmosphere via opening 46. The second position of flap 45 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 wherein it connects conduit 24 to lower chamber 38.

Fan 28 operates constantly so that when flap 45 is in the full line position shown in FIG. 3, air from the atmosphere is drawn in through opening 46 into conduit 24 and directed toward the feed ducts associated therewith. When flap 45 is moved to the dotted line position, air and fibers are drawn from the lower chamber 38 into conduit 24 and conveyed towards the feed ducts. Flap 45 of valve 35 may be moved by a conventional mechanical device such as a solenoid operated fluid cylinder 48.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are a series of gating units 50 for controlling air flow from the conduit 24 to each of its feed ducts. There is no unit 50 for the last duct 26 for reasons which will be apparent from a discussion of the operation of the gating units.

Each gating unit (see FIG. 2) comprises a first gate 52 for controlling air flow from the conduit into its feed duct and a second gate 54 for controlling air flow in the conduit to feed ducts further down the line. Only one gating unit 50 will be described in detail, it being under stood that the other units are exactly the same and operate in the same manner. Gate 52 comprises a flat door 56 slidable within appropriate grooves 58 of a sleeve 60 mounted on feed duct 26 near the intersection of conduit 24. Sleeve 60 is attached to a fluid cylinder 62 which has a piston rod 63 connected to door 56 for moving it between the open position, as shown in FIG. 2, and the closed position toward the left. as viewed in FIG. 2, whereby it blocks duct 26 to conduit 24. Gate 54 also has a flat door indicated at 56a slidable in grooves 580 within a sleeve 60a mounted on conduit 24. Sleeve 60a is attached to a fluid cylinder 62a, which has a piston rod 63a attached to door 56a. Door 56a is shown in its closed position whereby it blocks air flow along-conduit 24 to feed ducts further down the line, toward the left, as viewed in FIG. 2. Cylinder 62a operates to pull door 560 to its open position whereby conduit 24 opens to direct the air flow to the next feed duct down the line. Cylinders 62 and 62a may be solenoid operated, as will be described.

Referring to FIG. 5, one of the feed ducts 26 is shown in connection with fiber processing machine 22a. it is to be understood that the remaining ducts and the fiber processing machines which they supply are the same and need not be described in detail. Duct 26 has a ve rtically extending portion 64 which represents a storage chamber for fiber and contains an evener motion" through which the fibers pass before being fed to the machine 22a by feed rollers or the like 66. An available evener motion may be used such as that illustrated in assignees copending U.S. application Ser. No. 770,010, now US. Pat. No. 3,562,866 DENSITY CONTROL FOR A TEXTILE LAP FORMER, James H. Roberson et al. The storage chamber includes a pair of screens 68 which extend between the side walls 70 and 72 of the vertically extending portion of duct 26. Screens 68 form a chute for directing fibers down to the feed rolls 66 and a storage compartment 74 for the fibers. As fibers are blown into duct 26 from conduit 24, air is allowed to escape through screens 68 and fibers are deposited in compartment 74. A photoelectric sensing device 76 is located within compartment 74 for sensing the level of fibers therein. This sensor is part of control means to be described, infra. Other similar sensors 76 are located in the feed ducts 26 for the other fiber processing machines.

FIG. 4 represents an electrical diagram of the control means for operating the previously described gating units, metering mechanism and valve. A complete circuit is made by connecting a pair of power lines 80 and 82 which are connected to a source of power 83. A fiber feeding operation may begin when a starter switch 84 is closed thereby connecting line 85 to power lines 80 and 82. Current flows through line 85 and energizes a cycle timer motor 86 thereon and a starter 87 on line 88, which is connected to line 85. Starter 87 starts beater 44 in metering mechanism 30. g

A series of connector switches 90a, 90b, 90c and 90d, which control fiber feeding to ducts 26 of machines 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d, respectively. are also closed. Other connector switches 92a, 92b and 920, which control gating units 50 for machines 22a, 22b and 22c are closed as well. The connector switches enable individual fiber processing machines to be temporarily shut down for any reason such as repairs without interrupting operation of the other machines in the system. For the remainder of the discussion of the control circuit, it is to be assumed that all of the above-mentioned connector switches are closed.

Cycle timer motor 86 operates a series of timer switches 94a, 94b, 94c and 9411. which sequentially and for predetermined time intervals connect a series of lines 95a, 95b, 95c and 95a, respectively, to power line 80. Each timer switch is located on a shaft rotated by the motor 86. Entire motor switch units are commercially available and may be of the type produced by Eagle Signal Division of E. W. Bliss Company and disclosed in their Bulletin 340, dated March 1961. Theunit disclosed in this bulletin is called a MULTIPULSE REPEAT CYCLE TIMER. Photoelectric sensors 76a, 76b, 76c and 76d are located in lines 96a, 96b, 96c and 96d. respectively, and connectedto lines 95a, 95b, 95c and 95d. respectively. The sensors are arranged in the circuit so that as one of the sensors detects a need for fibers in its respective feed duct, its contact will close and will be effective to connect the appropriate one of lines 95a, 95b, 95c and 95d to a line 97, which is connected to power line 82. Whenever one of the timer switches 94a. 94b, 94c and 94d closes its contact and its corresponding sensor also closes its contact due to a need for fibers, a circuit is completed across line 97 and a relay 98 located thereon is energized. Relay 98 has several normally open contacts 99a, 99b, 99c and 99d on lines 95a, 95b, 95c and 95d, respectively. When relay 98 is energized, its contacts are closed and lines 95a, 95b, 95c and 95d are connected directly to line 97.

Closing of these contacts will prevent flucating signals from the sensors due to fibers passing by the sensors during a feeding operation. If this were not done, the

mechanism connected with a feeding operation would start and stop or chatter." Relay 98 has another normally open contact 100 on line 101. Energization of relay 98 will close contact 100 and complete a circuit across line 101. A feed roll clutch 102 located on line 101 is energized when contact 100 is closed and starts operation of the feed rolls 42. Solenoid 103, which controls valve cylinder 48, is also located on line 97 and is energized when relay 98 is energized. Solenoid 103 is effective, when energized, to cause cylinder 48 to move flap 45 to the dotted line position in FIG. 3.

Other timer switches 104a, 1041) and 1046 are operated by cycle timer motor 86 to complete circuits across lines 106a, 1061; and 106C, respectively. Pairs of solenoids 105a, 1051) and 105C for operating cylinders 62 and 62a of gating units 50 for machines 22a, 22b and 220, respectively, are located on lines 106a, 106!) and 1066, respectively, and are energized when their respective lines are energized. For greater efficiency, timer switches 104a, 1041: and 1040 are arranged to close for spaced time-intervals so that each gating unit in succession will be operated to control air flow into its feed duct for a predetermined time interval. Timer switches 94a, 94b, 94c and 94d are also arranged to close for spaced time intervals. These intervals will coincide with those of corresponding gating units but will be of different duration. It is to be understood that energization of a solenoid will move its respective flap 45 or gate 50 to one position and de-energization of the solenoid will move its respective flap or gate to its other position as by a spring return in a manner well known in the operation of solenoids.

OPERATION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT At the beginning of a feeding cycle, let us assume that all of the feed ducts require fibers so that the contacts of sensors 76a, 76b, 76c and 76d are closed. At this point, all of the gating units are in the positionshown in FIG. 2. The timer switches are pre-set for sequential operation. The first timer switch 94a closes to energize relay 98 and close solenoid 103. Relay 98 closes holding contacts 99a, 99b, 99c and 99d. Contact 100 is also closed to energize feed roll clutch 102 while solenoid 103 operates flap 45 to its dotted line position in FIG. 3 to connect chamber 38 to conduit 24. Beater 44, which runs constantly, picks fibers emerging from between the feed rolls and slings them into lower chamber 38. These fibers are then drawn into conduit 24 and conveyed to feed duct 26 of machine 220. The metering mechanism willmeter out a specified amount of fiber during a particular time period because the timer switches are pre-set to remain in the closed position long enough to insure that enough fibers are fed to each feed duct to maintain a sufficient supply of fiber to its machine until the next feed cycle. When switch 94a opens, holding contacts 99a, 99b, 99c and 99d are opened and contact 100 is opened to de-energize feed roll clutch 102. Solenoid 103 is also de-energized to operate flap 45 to its full-line position in FIG. 3 so that clean air will be drawn in through opening 46 and conduit 24 will be purged of loose fibers. Timer switch 104a will remain closed for a predetermined period of time so that the gating unit 50 of machine 22a will re- 7 main in the position shown in FIG. 2 so that any fibers purged in conduit 24 will be deposited in the feed duct of machine 22a. At the end of this predetermined period of time, timer switch 104a will open so that solenoids 105a will be deenergized. Cylinders 62 and 62a of the gating unit for machine 22a will operate their respective gates simultaneously so that its gate 52 will close the duct 26 to machine 22a from conduit 24 and its gate 54 will open the conduit to air flow toward the next feed duct 26 for machine 22!). At this time, timer switch 94b will close to again energize relay 9S and solenoid 103 to begin another fiber feeding operation so that fibers will be fed to feed duct 26 of machine 22b for a specified period of time followed by a purge cycle. At the end of the feeding and purging cycle for machine 22b, timer switch l04b will open, thereby deenergizing solenoid 1115b and operating gating unit 50 of machine 22b so that its gate 52 and feed duct 26 will be closed and conduit 24 will be opened to the feed duct ofmachine 22c. Timer switch 94c will close to again energize relay 98 and solenoid 103 to begin a feeding and purging cycle for machine 260. At the end of the cycle for machine 22c, switch 104C will open to de-energize solenoids 1050 to close the duct 26 of machine 22c and open conduit 24 to duct 26 of machine 22d while switch 94d closes to begin a feed and purge cycle for machine 22d. At the end of the feed and purge cycle for machine 22d, all of the timer switches 104a, 1041; and l04c will close and solenoids 105a, 105b and 105C will be energized so that the gating units will all be returned to the position shown in FIG. 2.

The complete feeding cycle described above will be repeated so that each feed duct will be fed a specified amount of fiber in turn. If one of the sensors indicates that there is no need for fibers, the circuit to relay 98 and solenoid 103 will not be completed and no fibers will be fed during the feed period assigned to the corresponding feed duct. However, the gates controlling air flow to the corresponding feed duct will not be affected and the period including feeding and purging time will be devoted to purging conduit 24. If desired, the machines may be overfed slightly to insure that no machine will run out of fiber.

Four feed ducts are shown in the drawings and have been described with respect to a particular feeding cycle; obviously, other machines could be added with similar controls and other feed cycle variations could be used as desired. Whatever the number of fiber processing machines supplied from conduit 24, there will always be one less gating unit than there are machines since the feed duct to the last machine does not require any gating'associated with its feed duct.

FIGS. 6 through 8 illustrate a fiber feeding arrangement wherein fibers are applied to a plurality of machines arranged in separate groups, each group being a satellite from a source of fiber supply. This arrangement does not form a part of the present invention but does form the basis of a separate invention covered in commonly assigned application filed even day herewith chines identified as A1, A2, A3 and A4. Groups B, C and D each have four machines identified in consecutive numerical order as B1 through B4 for group B: Cl through C4 for group C; and D1 through D4 for group D. Conduits 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d are associated with groups A, B, C and D, respectively. Each conduit is connected to the machines in its group by feed ducts 26' which are identical to ducts 26. There is a fan 28' associated with each conduit for creating an air flow therein in the same manner as fan 28 in conduit 24. Gating units 50', identical to previously described gating units 50, are employed with each group in the same manner as for the group in FIG. 1 to control air flow from each conduit to selected ones of its feed ducts. Fibers are drawn from a source such as an opener 31a by a fan 34a and blown into a metering mechanism 30a via a main duct 32a. Metering mechanism 300 is similar to mechanism 30 except that its lower chamber 380 is selectively connected to conduits 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d through a distribution valve means 107 which is made up of a plurality of two-position valves similar to 35. These valves are identified in FIG. 7 as 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d for controlling feeding of fibers to conduits 24a, 24b, 24c and 240, respectively. Fans 28 create an air flow from valve means 107 toward the feed ducts in each conduit. Each valve 35a, 35b. 35c and 35d. like 35, are operable between a first position whereby at mospheric air is drawn into its conduit for purging and a second position to connect its conduit to lower cham ber 38a of metering mechanism 300.

The control means for the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 is illustrated by the electrical diagram shown as FIG. 8. The circuit in FIG. 8 includes a pair of power lines 800 and 82a connected to a source of power 830. The fiber feeding apparatus is started by closing a starter switch 108 which completes a circuit across a line 109 containing a starter 87a for the beater, not shown, in metering mechanism 300 and a cycle timer motor 860 similar to motor 86. A line 110 containing a feed roll clutch 102a is connected to power line 82a. Clutch 1020 is similar to clutch 102 and controls feed rolls, not shown, in metering mechanism 30a. A series of parallel lines 112, 113, 114 and 115 are connected on one side to line 800 via line 109 and switch 108 and on the other side to line 110. Parallel lines 112, 113, 114 and 115 contain contacts R215, RbS, Rc5 and RdS, respectively, of relays RA, RB, RC and RD. respectively, on lines 116, 117, 118 and 119, respectively, all of which are connected to power line 820. Lines 116,

I 117, 118 and 119 also contain solenoids 103a, 103/2,

103C and 103d, respectively, which control valves 35a, 35b, 35c and 350', respectively. Line 116 is connected to parallel lines 120, 121, 122 and 123, which are connected to power line 80a through switches 124, 125, 126 and 127 and which contain timer switches A1A, A2A. A3A and A4A, respectively. Photoelectric sensors EA1, EA2, EA3 and EA4 associated with machines Al, A2, A3 and A4, respectively, are located on lines 120, 121, 122 and 123, respectively. As in the first embodiment, the closing of one of the timer switches together with a sensor which indicates a need for fibers will complete a circuit across line 116 and energize relay RA which will cause its contact Ra5 to close and energize clutch 1020 to start the feed rolls in the metering mechanism 30a. Solenoid 1031: will also be energized to operate valve 35a to feed fibers to conduit 24a. Energization of relay RA will close contacts Ral, R212,

Ra3 and Ra4 in lines which bridge sensors EA1, EA2, EA3 and EA4, respectively, which represent controls for machines A1, A2, A3 and A4, respectively. Similar circuitry for controlling relays RB, RC and RD and solenoids 103b, 1036 and 103d for machine groups B, C and D, respectively, are indicated generally by dotted blocks CB, CC and CD for machine groups B, C and D, respectively. The circuitry in each of these dotted blocks include starter switches, sensors and timer switches for each machine. Each timer switch is operated from cycle timer motor 86a as are switches AIA, A2A, A3A and A4A.

Cycle timer motor 86a also controls timer switches for each gating unit. Timer switches 128, 129 and 130 are effective to complete a circuit across lines 131, 132 and 133, respectively, containing solenoid pairs 134, 135 and 136, respectively. Solenoid pairs 134, 135 and 136 control the gating units 50' associated with machines Al, A2 and A3, respectively, for machine group A. Lines 131, 132 and 133 also contain connector switches 137, 138 and 139. The gating units for the machine groups B, C and D are controlled by similar circuitry which need not be defined in detail for an understanding of the invention since the circuitry for each of the gating units of groups B, C and D is indicated generally at 140 and is identical to that for machine group A.

switch controlling the solenoid for valve 35a closes and valve 35a is moved to its fiber feeding position. The metering rolls in metering mechanism 30a are also operated to supply fibers. Fibers will therefore be fed to machine A1. After a predetermined time interval, valve 35a is'returned to its purging position and valve 35b is shifted to its feeding position to feed fibers to machine Bl. After another time interval, valve 35b is returned to its purging position and valve 350 is shifted to its feeding position. After still another time interval, valve 350 is returned to its purging position and valve 35d is moved to its feeding position. So far in the cycle, none of the gating units have been shifted so that while machine D1 is being fed, conduits 24a, 24b and 24c are being purged. When valve 35d is shifted to its purging position, valve 35a is again moved to its feeding position and fibers are conveyed through conduit 24a. At this time, the gating for machine A1 is operated to close off the feed duct to machine Al and direct fibers to machine A2. After a predetermined time period, valve 35a is moved to its purging position and valve 35b is moved to its feeding position to feed fibers into conduit 24b. Simultaneously, the gating unit for machine B1 is operated to close the feed duct to machine B1 and convey fibers to the feed duct of machine B2. Valve 35c and the gating unit for machine C1 are then shifted to feed fibers to machine C2 while valve 35b is moved to its position for purging conduit 24b. Valve 35d and the gating unit for machine D1 are then shifted to feed fibers to the feed duct 26' of machine D2 while valve 350 is switched to its purging position. After machine D2 is fed, the gating unit for machine A2 and valve 35a are shifted to fiber feeding positions to feed machine riods when the sensor for a particular feed duct does not indicate a need for fibers. A slight overfeeding to each machine may be desirable so that no machine will run out of fibers and each machine will not require fibers periodically. If, for example, fibers were fed at the rate of 1 10 percent of machine consumption during the complete cycle period, each machine would not require fibers every tenth feeding cycle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MODIFICATION As shown in FIG. 9, there are a plurality of fiber processing machines arranged in three sets indicated generally at X, Y and Z. The machines of each set are arranged in groups. FIG. 9 shows two groups in each set, but it is to be understood that one group or several groups may be employed. The groups are identified as XA and X8 for set X, YA and YB for set Y, and ZA and ZB for set Z. Each group is made up of several machines identified as XAl, XA2, XA3 and XA4 for group XA; XBl, XB2, XB3 and XB4 for group XB', YAl, YA2, YA3 and YA4 for YA; YBl, YB2, YB3

and YB4 for group YB; ZAI, ZA2, ZA3 and ZA4 for group ZA; and 281, 282, ZB3 and ZB4 for group ZB. Conduits similar to previously described conduit 24 are associated with each group. Conduits 142, 143, 144, 145, 146 and 147 are associated with groups XA, XB, YA, YB, ZA and ZB, respectively. The machines of each group are connected to their respective conduits by feed ducts 26" which are identical to previously described feed ducts 26.

Conduits 142, 143, 144 and are selectively connected to a metering mechanism 150 via a selector valve means 152. Metering mechanism 150 is exactly like previously described metering mechanism 30 and selector valve means 152 is made up of two position valves in a manner similar to that for distribution valve means 107. There is a valve for selectively connecting each of the conduits 142, 143, 144 and 145 to metering mechanism 150 for feeding of fibers therefrom and for opening the conduits to the atmosphere for purging. There is a fan 28" which is identical to previously described fan 28 located in each conduit for creating an air flow from the metering mechanism 150 toward the respective feed ducts of each conduit. Fibers are supplied to metering mechanism 150 from a fiber stock supply indicated at 158 via a main duct 160 by means of a fan 162 in the same manner as described for fan 34.

Conduits 144 and 145 are selectively connected at their other ends to a fiber metering mechanism 164 through a selector valve means 166. Conduits 146 and 147 are also selectively connected to metering mechanism 164 through selector valve means 166. Metering mechanism 164 and selector valve means 166 are identical to metering mechanism 150 and selector valve means 152, respectively. Valve means 166 has a plurality of two-position valves identical in operation to valve 35. There is one two-position valve for each of the conduits 142, 143, 146 and 147. Fibers are supplied to metering mechanism 164 from a fiber stock supply 167 by a fan 168 which blows the fibers through a main duct 169.

Fiber flow through conduits 142, 143, 146 and 147 and to each of their respective feed ducts is controlled by gating units 50", identical to previously described gating units 50, and are arranged for controlling air flow to the respective feed ducts for groups XA, XB, ZA and ZB in identically the manner as described for the group of machines shown in FIG. 1.

Since conduits 144and 145 are selectively connected to both metering mechanisms 150 and 164, fibers may be conveyed from either end of each conduit. Fiber from one source may be conveyed from one end of each conduit, 144 and 145, and fibers from the other source may be conveyed from the other end of each of these conduits. Conduits 144 and 145 each contain a plurality of gating units 50a, one for each feed duct. Gating units 50a differ somewhat from units 50 in that they comprise three gates instead of two as shown schematically in FIG. 10. Each unit 50a has a gate 172 for selectively opening and closing its feed duct to its conduit and a pair of gates 173 which are individually operated; Gates 173 are effectively located in the conduit on opposite sides of their corresponding duct so that by operating one or the other of the gates, air flow in the conduit from either direction can be blocked to other ducts along the conduit in the direction of air flow. Gates 172 and 173 are operated by solenoids in the same manner as previously described gates 52 and 54.

The system shown in FIG. 9 may be considered as two four-satellite systems such as that described for FIG. 6. These two systems are superimposed in that groups YA and YB are common to both systems. The machines of groups YA and YB may be selectively fed from either fiber supply source depending on the desired production ratio of the two sources.

The feeding sequence for the machines in each foursatellite system follows a counter-clockwise outward spiral format from the feed source in the same manner as described for FIG. 6. The actual feeding of the machines of set Y is determined by whichever source is selected to feed specific machines in the set. Counting outwardly from each source, some machines would be in the fourth rank with respect to one source and in the first rank with respect to the other source. For example, YB4 and YA4 are in the fourth rank with respect to, metering mechanism 150 but in the first rank with respect to metering mechanism 164. Machine YA2 is second rank with respect to 150 but third rank with respect to 164 and'machine YA3 is second rank with respect to 164 but third rank with respect to 150.

The feeding program may be set up so that both metering mechanisms feed one of their satellite machines simultaneously, provided, of course, that each is calling for stock and the program indicates feeding should occur. As the program concurrently spirals outward from each source, it must, of necessity, sometimes pass over some machines which are closer to one source but fed from the other. In these instances, the program temporarily ignores the existence of these machines with regard to the closer source.

The beginning point for the feed program is metering mechanism ISOfeeding XAI while metering mechanism I64 concurrently feeds 281. Next, 150 feeds XBI while 164 feeds 2A1. Thirdly, the program concurrently examines YBl with respect to I50 and YA4 with respect to 164. If feeding of either, or both is so programmed, it takes place. However, if either of these machines is to be fed by the other metering mechanism, the program ignores the existence of this as a first-rank machine and passes over it. Later, the program will pick up this machine as a fourth-rank machine with regard to the other metering mechanism. Fourthly, this examination procedure repeats the YAI with respect to and YB4 with respect to 164. If feeding is in order, it takes placev At this point, all first-rank machines will have been fed and the program begins feeding the second-rank machines XA2 from 150 and simultaneously 282 from 164, then X82 from 150, and ZA2 from 164. If machines YB2 and YA3 are programmed as second-rank machines with regard to 150 and 164, respectively, they are now fed. If not, they are passed over until third-rank machines are examined. Likewise, YA2 and YB3 are examined to determine if they are second-rank machines.

The above procedure now repeats for feeding ail third-rank machines. Machines passed over when second-rank machines were fed are now fed as third-rank machines.

Fourth-rank machines XA4 and 2B4, XB4 and ZA4 are fed in that order, and the program now examines Set Y machines to determine whether or not they are fourth rank and should be fed.

At this point, the program recycles and begins feeding all first-rank machines as before.

WIRING DIAGRAM FOR THE MODIFICATION FIGS. 11A and 118 show a wiring diagram for a feed program for the feeding arrangement shown in FIG. 9 wherein the machines in set X are always fed from metering mechanism 150, the machines in set Z are always fed from metering mechanism 164, and machines in set Y are fed from both metering mechanisms. The electrical components shown in the wiring diagram have the versatility of controlling any number of feed patterns for the Y set of machines. A plurality of "rotary waffer switches" are arranged in the circuit and can be set so that any number or all machines in group YA or YB will be fed from one source of supply with the remaintier of machines being fed from the other source. As an example, the circuitry shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b is set up so that machines YAl, YA2, Y8] and YBZ are fed from 150 and the remaining machines in set Y are fed from 164.

Referring to FIG. 11A, a source of power indicated at 171 connects two power lines, 174 and 175, across which a circuit may be completed. Closure of a starting switch 176 completes a circuit across a line 177 and energizes a cycle timer motor 178 and a starter 179 for a beater, not shown in metering mechanism 150. Another starting switch 180 is effective, when closed, to complete a circuit across a line 181 and energizing a cycle timer motor 182 and a starter 183 for a beater, not shown, in metering mechanism 164. After switch 180 is closed, a feed roll clutch 184 on line 185 will be energized when any of the contacts 186, 187, 188 and 189 in parallel lines 190, 191, 192 and 193. respectively, are closed. A feed roll clutch 194 on line 195 will he energized when any one of the contacts 196, 197, I98 and 199 on parallel lines 200, 201. 202 and 203, respectively, are closed. Clutches 194 and 184 operate the respective feed rolls, not shown, in metering mechanisms 150 and 164, respectively.

The circuitry for operating two of the two-position valves in selector valving means 152 is indicated by blocks 204 and 205 together with lines 206 and 207, respectively. The two valves controlled by circuitry 204 and 205 control feeding of fibers to conduits 142 and 143, respectively. The circuitry in each of the blocks 204 and 205 is identical to that shown in FIG. 4 for controlling the two-position valve 35. When a circuit is completed across line 206, a holding relay 208 and a solenoid 209 are energized. When a circuit is completed across line 207, a holding relay 21 and a solenoid 211 are energized. Holding relays 208 and 210 are effective, when energized, to close contacts 196 and 197, respectively. Solenoids 209 and 211 operate the two-position valves in selector valving means 152 which control feeding to conduits 142 and 143, respectively.

The circuitry for operating two of the two-position valves in selector valving means 166 is indicated by blocks 212 and 213 together with lines 214 and 215, respectively. The two valves controlled by circuitry 212 and 213 control feeding of fibers to conduits 146 and 147, respectively. The circuitry in each of the blocks 212 and 213 is identical to that shown in FIG. 4 for controlling the two-position valve 35. When a circuit is completed across line 214, a holding relay 216 and a solenoid 217 are energized. When a circuit is completed across line 215, a holding relay 218 and a solenoid 219 are energized. Holding relays 216 and 218 are effective, when energized, to close contacts 188 and 189, respectively. Solenoids 217 and 219 operate the two-position valves in selector valving means 166 which control feeding to conduits 146 and 147, respectively.

The circuitry for controlling the two-position valves associated with conduits 144 and 145 for both selector valving means 152 and 166 is an integrated circuitry since a change in the feeding program from one source requires a corresponding change in the feeding program from the other source.

The differentfeed programs are controlled through a plurality of rotary waffer" or selector switches 220, 221, 222 and 223. These switches are particularly suitable for selective connection of circuits while simultaneously disconnecting or isolating other circuits. Each selector switch has five possible positions and they may be all ganged together on a common shaft so that the operator may set all the switches to any position by turning a single knob.

The closure of connector switches 224, 225, 226 and 227 together with closure of photoelectric contacts 228, 229, 230 and 231, respectively, serve to connect selector switches 220, 221, 222 and 223, respectively, to power line 174 via lines 232, 233, 234 and 235, re-

spectively. The sensors for contacts 228, 229', 230 and previously described timer switches 94a, 94b, 94c and 9411. Each of the switches 220a, 221a, 222a and 223a operate to connect its corresponding selector switch to power line via a line 236 and each of the switches 220b, 221b, 222b and 223b operate to connect its corresponding selector switch to power line 175 via a line 238. Completion of a circuit across line 236 energizes a relay 240 and a solenoid 242. Completion of a circuit across line 238 energizes a relay 244 and a solenoid 246. Solenoids 242 and 246 operate two-position valves in selector valving means 152 and 166, respectively, for feeding fibers to conduit 144. Energization of relay 240 closes contact 199 and energization of relay 244 closes contact 186. Both of these relays close a plurality of contacts indicated at 250 which are connected in parallel to photoelectric contacts 228, 229, 230 and 231, respectively. Closure of contacts 199 and 189 will energize feed roll clutches 194 and 184, respectively. Closure of contacts 250 will prevent chattering due to fiber falling between photoelectric sensors as previously described.

Timer switches 220a, 221a, 222a and 2230 are operated from the cycle timer motor 178 and timer switches 220b, 221b, 222b and 223b are operated from cycle timer motor 182. The timer switches are operated from their respective cycle timer motors in the same manner as described for the circuit shown in FIG. 4. The timer switches operated from 178 are set to close sequentially beginning with switch 220a and continuing to 221a, 222a and 223a. The timer switches operated from 182 are set to close sequentially, beginning with 223b and ending with 220b.

Each selector switch has a pole 251 which is always connected to power line 174 providing that its connector switch and photoelectric contact are closed. Each selector switch also has five other poles numbered 1 through 5 which are selectively connected to pole 251 through a selector arm 252. The five poles represent five different operating settings and determine which of each pair of time switches will be connected to line 174. The circuitry is arranged so that the first four poles of switches 220 are connected to timer switch 220a and the fifth pole connected to switch 220B. Poles 1 to 3 selector switch 221 are connected to switch 221a and poles 4 and 5 are connected to switch 221b. The first two poles in selector switch 222 are connected to rotary timer switch 222a and the last three poles to rotary timer switch 222b. The first pole of selector switch 223 is connected to timer switch 223a and the poles numbered 2-5 are connected to timer switch 223b. The wiring arrangement just described makes it possible to select any feeding arrangement by rotating arms 252, which are ganged together, to any of the five positions. In the number 1 position, rotary switches 220a, 221a, 222a and 223a are connected to the left side of the'circuit and the remaining timer switches are disconnected therefrom. 1n the number 5 position, timer switches 220b, 221b, 222b and 223b are connected to the left side of the circuit and the other timer switches of each pair are disconnected therefrom. The timer switches are set so that when the selector switches are in the first position (poles 1), relay 240 and solenoid 242 will be energized periodically as part of the feeding program associated with metering mechanism 150. When the selector switches are in the fifth position (poles 5), relay 244 and solenoid 246 will be periodically energized as part of the feeding program associated with metering mechanism 164. The second position (poles 2) of the selector switches causes machine YA4 to be fed from 164 and the re-' maining machines to be fed from 150. The fourth posi tion (poles 4) of the selector switches causes machine YAl to be fed from 150 and the remaining machines to be fed from 164. The third position of the selector switches (poles 3) causes machines YAl and YA2 to be fed from 150 and machines YA3 and YA4 to be fed from 164.

The circuitry just described pertains to means for controlling the two-position valves in selector valve means 152 and 166 which control feeding and purging through conduit 144; similar circuitry is employed for controlling the two-position valves in 152 and 166 which govern feeding and purging through conduit 145. This circuitry is indicated by the dotted block 253 and controls relays 254 and 256 and solenoids 255 and 257. Relay 254 and solenoid 255 are associated with feeding from metering mechanism 150. Relay 256 and solenoid 257 are associated with metering mechanism 164. Solenoids 255 and 257 control two-position valves in selector valve means 152 and 166, respectively, for conduit 145. Relay 254 is effective, when energized, to close contacts 250, which form part of its circuitry 253, as well as contact 198 on line 195. Relay 256 is effective, when energized, to close contacts 250, which form part of its circuitry 253 and contact 187 on line 185.

included in circuitry 253 are selector switches and timer switches similar to that described above for selectively controlling feeding to the machines in group YB. The timer switches associated with metering mechanism 150 are operated from cycle timer motor 178 and are set with respect to timer switches 220a, 221a, 222a and 223a together with othertimer switches associated with machine groups XA and XB so that the four groups in sets X and Y can be programmed in the same feed-purge cycle as described for FIG. 6. The timer switches associated with metering mechanism 164 are operated from cycle timer motor 182 and are set with respect to timer switches 220b, 221b, 2221) and 223b together with other timer switches associated with machine groups ZA and 213 so that the four groups in sets Y and Z can be programmed in the same feed-purge cycle as described for FIG. 6.

The selector switches which form part of circuitry 253 can be gangedtogether with switches 220, 221, 222 and 223 so that the same ratio of machines in group YB will be fed from each source of fiber supply or they can be ganged together independently of selector switches 220, 221, 222 and 223. The operator may turn one knob to set the selector switches in one position for the machines in group YA and another knob to set the selector switches in a second position for the machines in group YB. The selector switches associated with group YA in FIG. llAare shown in the number three position wherein machines YA] and YA2 are fed from 150 and machines YA4 and YA3 are fed from 164. The selector switches in 253 will be in the same number three setting, depending on whether they are ganged with the above selector switches.

CONTROL ClRCUlTRY FOR GATlNG UNITS Up to this point, the discussion has covered the mechanism used to feed fiber stock from the proper metering mechanism and direct it into the correct conduit, all within a desired timed relationship. The circuitry described above controls feeding of fibers to ap propriate conduits. Fibers are fed from a metering mechanism through an appropriate conduit during the periods assigned for feeding to each machine if the photoelectric sensors in the machine indicate a need and if the case of thc groups YA and YB the machine is selected as part of the feed cycle. Once the fibers are in the appropriate conduit. they are directed to the proper machine feed duct by gating means units 50" and 50a. The electrical controls for these gating units are shown in FIG. 11B.

Controls for the gating units 50" of groups XA and X13 are not shown in detail since they are exactly like those for the gating units of FIGS. 1 and 6 as represented in the wiring diagram of FIG. 4. The control circuitry for these gates is indicated by the dotted block 258. Controls for gating units 50" for groups ZA and ZB are identical to those for the gating units of groups XA and XB. These controls are indicated by the dotted block 260.

The circuitry for controlling the gating units 50a differs from the circuitry for controlling the gates 50" in that it has to be tied into the controls for both sources of fiber supply.

The circuitry for controlling the gating units 50a in machine groups YA will be described, it being understood that the circuitry for controlling the gating units 500 for groups YB is identical.

As shown in FIG. 118, there are a plurality of solenoids for operating the gates in units 50a for group YA. The solenoids for operating the feed duct gates for machines YAl, YA2, YA3 and YA4 are indicated at 261, 262, 263 and 264, respectively. The solenoids for controlling left-hand conduit gates as viewed in FIG. 9 are indicated at 265, 266, 267 and 268 for machines YAl, YA2, YA3 and YA4, respectively. The solenoids for controlling right-hand conduit gates as viewed in FIG. 9 are indicated at 269, 270, 271 and 272 for machines YA1, YA2, YA3 and YA4, respectively. The left-hand conduit gates control fiber flow from the right and the right-hand conduit gates control fiber flow from the left in conduit 144.

The above solenoids are selectively energized through selector, timer and connector switches which are effective to connect individual solenoids to power line 174. A series of selector switches 273, 274, 275 and 276 associated with machines (A1, YA2, YA3 and YA4, respectively, are connected to power line 174 through the closing of connector switches 27'], 278, 279 and 280, respectively. The selector switches are similar to those described above.

Each selector switch is connected to power line 174 by a pole 281 which is selectively connected to one of five poles numbered 1 through 5 by selector arm 282. The selector switches 273, 274, 275 and 276 are ganged together and with selector switches 220, 221, 222 and 223 so that the turning of a single knob will selectively position selector arms 282 and 252 into contact with any of the five poles. it is essential that the setting of the selector switches for the gating units be identical with that of the selector switches for the twoposition valves for whatever feed program is desired. Each selector switch is selectively connected to a pair of timer switches similar to those described above. These timer switches are indicated at 2730 and 273i) for selector switch 273, 274a and 274!) for selector switch 274, 275a and 275b for selector switch 275,

276a and 2 76b for selector switch 276. Switch 273a is I connected to the poles numbered 1 through 4 of selector switch 273, timer switch 274a is connected to the poles 1, 2 and 3 of selector switch. 274, timer switch 275a is connected to poles 1 and 2 of selector switch 275 and switch 276a is connected to pole 1 of selector switch 276. Timer switches 273b, 274b, 275b and 27Gb are connected to the remaining poles of their respective selector switches as shown in FIG. 11B. Timer switches 273a, 274a, 275a and 276aare operated from cycle timer motor 178 and timer switches 273b, 274b, 2751) and 2761) are operated from cycle timer motor 182. All of these timer switches are set to correspond with the feed programs of whichever one ,of metering mechanisms 150 and 164 they are associated with.

As seen in FIG. 11B, both switches of each pair of timer switches are effective, when closed to energize their respective feed duct solenoid. Each feed duct gate will open at the proper time regardless of the direction from which fibers are being fed through its respective conduit. Of course, the selector switch associated with each pair of timer switches insures that only one timer switch will be effective to energize its corresponding feed duct gate solenoid. The feed duct gate associated with each machine in group YA will only be operated as part of the feed. program its machine belongs to.

Another series of selector switches indicated at283, 284, 285 and 286 are associated with machines YAl, YA2, YA3 and YA4, respectively. Each of these selector switches is connected to both pairs of timer switches associated with its machine through a pole 287. Each of these timer switches has five poles, number 1 through 5, which are selectively'connected to pole 287 by a selector arm 288. Solenoid 269 is connected to poles 1 through 4 of selector switch 283, solenoid 270 is connected to poles 1 through 3 of selector switch 284, solenoid 271 is connected to poles 1 and 2 of selector switch 285 and solenoid 272 is connected to pole l of selector switch 286. Solenoids 265, 266, 267 and 268 are connected to the remaining poles of selector switches 283, 284,285 and 286. These selector switches are also ganged with the previously described selector switches so that arms 288 will be positioned with the same numbered poles as for the previously described selector switches. 7

All feed duct gates are closed when their respective solenoids are de-energized and opened when their respective solenoids are energized. The rightand lefthand conduit gates are all open when their respective solenoids are de-energized and closed when their respective solenoids are energized. The timer switches associated with each feed source are set to operate the gates sequentially in a manner similar to that described for machine group in FIG. 1 with the exception of having a conduit gate associated with the last machine from the feed source. If the machines in group YA were being fed from one source as, for example, metering mechanism 150, the selector switcheswould be in the first position (contacts number 1) so that only the right-hand gates will be operated. The left-hand gates will all remain open since their respective solenoids will remain de-energized. The right-hand gates will be closed through their respective timer switches and then opened sequentially as each machine in group YA is fed fibers from left to right as viewed in FIG. 9. As each conduit gate opens, its corresponding feed duct gate closes since they are both controlled by the same timer switch. The feeding sequence in the present example is exactly like that described for the four machine groups shown in FIG. 6 except that the right-hand, conduit gate associated with machine YA4 never opens. 1f the machines in group YA are all fed from the right, the righthand conduit gates will remain open and the left-hand conduit gates will open sequentially with the exception of the oneassociated with machine YAl, which will remain closed.

When the selector switches are in the third position (poles numbered 3), as shown in FIG. 11, machines YAl and YA2 will be fed from metering mechanism and machines YA3 and YA4 will be fed from metering mechanism 164.

The conduit gate for controlling air flow beyond the last machine being fed from a source is maintained closed. This is done by providing additional circuitry for selectively maintaining the solenoids which control the conduit gates energized. This circuitry may be in the form of additional selector switches, one of which is generally indicated at 290 for controlling the conduit gates of machine YA4. Switch 290 has a pole 291 which is connected to line 174. Pole 291 is selectively connected to any one of five poles numbered 1 through 5 by apivoted arm 292. The first pole (number 1) is connected to the line which connects solenoid 272 to the left side of the circuit via a line 293, and the second pole is connected to the line which connects solenoid 268 to the left side of the circuit via a line 294. It can be seen that when switch 290 is in the first position (pole l), solenoid 272, which controls the right-hand conduit gate for machine YA4, is kept energized, thereby maintaining that gate closed. It will be remembered that when the other selector switches are in the first position, all of the machines in the group are fed from the left. By maintaining the right-hand gate for machine YA4 closed, fibers or air flow from the left will not be permitted beyond machine YA4. Other selector switches, identical to 290, are associated with each machine in the group. These switches are indicated generally by block 295. These other switches are connected into the circuit as follows: All of the switches are connected to power line 174 by a pole 291" which is selectively connected to one of five poles numbered 1 through 5 by a pivoted arm 292. Poles 2 and 3 of the selector switch associated with machine YA3 are connected to the left sides of solenoids 271 and 267, respectively, which control the left and right conduit gates, respectively, of machine YA3. Poles 3 and 4 of the selector switch associated with machine YA2 are connected to the left of solenoids 270 and 266, respectively, which control the left and right conduit gates, respectively, of that machine. Poles 4 and 5 of the selector switch associated with machine YAl are connected to the left sides of solenoids 269 and 265, respectively, which control the left and right conduit gates, respectively, of that machine, These switches are tied together and with the previously mentioned selector switches so that the turning of one knob will set all selector switches to the same pole.

When the selector switches such as 290 are in supply; second position (poles 2), 'the right gate of machine YA3 and theleft gate of machine YA4 are maintained closed. When these switches are in the third position, the right gate of machine YA2. and the left gate of machine YA3 are maintained closed. When these switches are in the fourth position, the right gate of machine (Al and the left gate of YA2 are maintained closed. When the switches are in the fifth position, the left gate of machine (Al is maintained closed. By operating the conduit gates in pairs in the manner just described, conduit 144 --will be effectively sealed to an air flow from both sources of fiber supply between the last machine being fed from the right and the last machine being fed from the left. When the machines are all being fed from one source, the last conduit gate nearest I the other source is closed.

It is'possible to eliminate the last described selector switches such as 290 since fiberswill not be fed beyond the last machine being fed from a source due to the fact that the two-position valves which correspond to machines beyond the last machine being fed will not be shifted to their fiber feeding position. The timer switches for the end machines can be set so that when all machines are being fed from the left as viewed in FIG. 9, the right-hand conduit gate for machine YA4 will stay closed and when all machines are being fed from the right, the left-hand conduit gate for machine YAl will stay closed. It is preferred, however, to use the selector switches such as 290 since it is possible that the conduit will not always be completely cleaned of fibersafter each purging cycle with the resulting mixing of fibers from both sources of supply in some of the machines.

The circuitry for controlling the gates for the machines in group YB is identical to that described above for group YA and need not be described in detail. The

gate circuitry for machine group YB is indicated by the dotted block 296. The selector switches in circuitry 296 are preferably ganged to the selector switches previously described. In the circuitry described above, including the portions indicated by dotted blocks, there are several connector switches corresponding to each machine. Some connector switches control gating functions and others control fiber metering and twoposition valve operating functions. It is preferred that all of the connector switches corresponding to the same machine be ganged together. in this way, if any machine has to be shut down for any reason such as repairs or cleaning, the feeding functions pertaining to that machine will be eliminated by the turning ofa single knob.

lf an entire group of machines is to be shut down, the blowers or fans creating an air flow through the conduit therefor will be shutoff, or if all the machines are to be fed from one source of fiber supply, the fan creating an air flow from the other source of fiber supply will be shut off. g

The invention is not limited to the exact circuitry disclosed herein as other electrical arrangements could be designed to control the feeding programs disclosed herein. The invention is also not limited to any particular number of machines or groups of machines. If additional machines are employed in any of the groups of machines which are fed from two sources, the selector switches which form part of the control circuitry need only be modified by adding position poles. The number of poles or positions of the selector switches is one more than the number of machines in the group.

It is possible to combine groups YA and YB electrically by providing selector switches having nine positions, in which case all of the machines will be treated as belongingto a single group. For example, in the first position, all machines would be fed from the left, and

in the second position, all the machines except YA4 would be fed from the left and YA4 from the right. In the third position, YA4 and YB4 would be fed from the right and the remaining machines from the left. Each succeeding position would include an additional machine to be fed from the right until the ninth position was reached, in which case all of the machines would be fed from the right. The nine-pole selector switches would be wired into the control circuitry in a manner which used the same format as for five-pole selector switches.

Having described the invention, what is now claimed 1. Apparatus for selectively supplying fibers to a plurality of fiber processing machines comprising:

a. a source of fiber supply;

b. a conduit connected to said source of fiber supply;

0. a feed duct for each of said fiber processing machines connected to said conduit;

d. pneumatic means connected to said conduit between said source of fiber supply and said feed ducts for creating an air flow toward said feed ducts;

e. an electromechanical two-position valve located in said conduit between said source and said pneumatic means. said valve being effective in a first position to open said conduit to the atmosphere and to close said conduit to said source and effective in a second position to close said conduit to the atmo sphere and open said conduit to said source;

f. electromechanical gating means for selectively directing said air flow from said conduit to any one of said feed ducts;

g. means for sensing a need for fibers in each of said feed ducts, said sensing means including a sensor switch associated with each of said feed ducts which is actuated by a need for fibers therein;

h. first timer switches. one for each of said feed ducts,

which are connected in series with respective sensor switches of said sensing means, each of said first timer switches being effective for shifting said twoposition valve to its second position or a period of time to initiate a feeding cycle when its corresponding sensor switch is actuated by a need for fibers; and

i. second timer switches synchronized with said first timer switches for controlling said gating means to pneumatically connect said conduit to the feed duct whose sensor switch initiates a feeding cycle for the entire-time that said two-position valve is in said second position and for a period of time thereafter, whereby fibers are conveyed into a feed duct in which there was sensed a need for fibers for the period of time said two-position valve is in its second position followed by a purging air flow along said conduit and into said feed duct for a period of time thereafter.

2. The fiber supplying apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said second timer switches are arranged for automatically directing air flow to each of said feed ducts sequentially.

3. The fiber supplying apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said source of fiber supply comprises;

a. a fiber metering mechanism;

rality of fiber processing machines comprising:

a. a source of fiber supply;

b. a conduit connected to said source of fiber supply;

c. a feed duct for each of said fiber processing machines connected to said conduit;

d. pneumatic means connected to said conduit between said source of fiber supply and said feed ducts for creating an air flow toward said feed ducts;

e. an electromechanical two-position valve located in said conduit between said source and said pneumatic means, said valve being effective in a first position to open said conduit to the atmosphere and to close said conduit to said source and effective in a second position to close said conduit to the atmosphere and open said conduit to said source;

f. electromechanical gating means for selectively directing said air flow from said conduit to any one of said feed ducts;

g. control means associated with each of said feed ducts and comprising:

1. a first timer switch having an operative position;

2. a sensor including a sensor switch for sensing fiber need therein, said sensor switch and said first timer switch being connected in series with said two-position valve for shifting said valve to its second position when said first timer switch is operative and said sensor senses a need for fiber in said feed duct and for holding said twoposition valve in said second position for a first period of time; and

3. a second timer switch for operating said gating means to pneumatically connect said duct to said fiber source through said conduit whenever said first timer switch becomes operative and for maintaining its pneumatic connection therewith a second period of time which exceeds said first period of time, whereby fibers are conveyed into said feed duct during said first period of time and there is a purging air flow along said'conduit and into said feed duct during the portion of said second period of time which exceeds said first period of time.

i Apparatus for selectively supplying fibers to a plurality of fiber processing machines comprising:

a. a source of fiber supply; b. a conduit connected to said source of fiber supply c. a feed duct for each of said fiber processing machines connected to said conduit;

d. pneumatic means connected to said conduit between said source of fiber supply and said feed ducts for creating an airflow toward said feed ducts;

e. an electromechanical two-positionvalve located in said conduit between said source and said pneumatic means, said valve being effective in a first position to open said conduit to the atmosphere and to close said conduit to said source and effective in a second position to close said conduit to the atmosphere and open said conduit to said source;

f. electromechanical gating means for each feed duct for which there is at least one more feed duct further removed from said source of fiber supply, said gating means comprising:

1. a first solenoid operated gate for pneumatically opening and closing said feed duct to said conduit; and

2. a second solenoid operated gate for pneumatically opening and closing said conduit to feed ducts further removed from said source of fiber pp y g. control means associated with each of said feed ducts and comprising:

1. a first timer switch having an operative position;

2. a sensor including a sensor switch for sensing fiber need therein, said sensor switch and said first timer switch being connected in series with said two-position valve for shifting said valve to its second position when said first timer switch is operative and said sensor senses a need for fiber in said feed duct and for holding said twoposition valve in said second position for a first period of time; and

3. a second timer switch connected in series with said solenoid operated gates and effective when in operative position to open said first gate and to close said second gate, said second timer switch being operative whenever said first timer switch is operative and for a second period of time which exceeding said first period of time, whereby fibers are conveyed into said feed duct during said first period of time and there is purging air flow along said conduit and into said feed duct during the'portion of said second period of time which exceeds said first period of time.

6. Apparatus for selectively supplying fibers to a plurality of fiber processing machines comprising:

a. a first source of fiber supply;

b. a second source of fiber supply;

c. a conduit-extending from said first source to said second source of fiber supply;

d. first pneumatic means for creating an air flow in said conduit from said first source of fiber supply toward said second source;

e. second pneumatic means for creating an air flow in said conduit from said second source of fiber supply toward said first source;

f. a first electromechanical two-position valve located in said conduit between said first source of fiber supply and said first pneumatic means;

g. a second electromechanical two-position valve located in said conduit between said second source of fiber supply and said second pneumatic means;

h. a feed duct for each of said fiber processing machines connected to said conduit between said first and second sources of fiber supply;

i. electromechanical gating means for each of said feed ducts comprising:

'1. a central gate for pneumatically opening and closing said feed duct to said conduit;

2. a first conduit gate for blocking and unblocking air flow to said central gate from said first source of fiber supply; and

3. a second conduit gate for blocking and unblocking air flow to said central gate from said second source offiber supply; and

j. control means associated with each of said ducts comprising:

1. a source of electrical power;

2. a first timer switch for each source of fiber supply, each being connected to its corresponding two-position valve;

3. a sensor including a sensor switch for sensing fiber need therein;

4. a second timer switch for each source of fiber supply, each being connected to said central gate;

5. a first selector switch for connecting either one of said first timer switches to said sensor switch so that when said connected timer switch is in operative position and said sensor senses a need for fiber, its corresponding two-position valve will be shifted to its second position or a period of time; and

6. second selector switches for connecting the second timer switch which corresponds to a selected first timer switch to said source of electrical supply and to its corresponding conduit gate, said selected first and second timer switches being synchronized so that when said first timer switch is in its operative position, said second timer switch will be in its operative position wherein it is effective to open its conduit gate and said central gate, whereby any ratio of said fiber processing machines can be selectively supplied by said first and second sources of fiber supply,

7. The fiber supplying apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein each of said second timer switches are in operative position for a period of time beyond that of its corresponding first timer switch, whereby fibers are conveyed to its feed duct for a period and there is a purging air flow along said conduit and into said feed duct for an additional period of time.

8. The fiber supplying apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said second timer switches are ar ranged to be in operative position sequentially.

9. The fiber supplying apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein there are means for feeding additional sets of fiber processing machines from each source of fiber supply, means for feeding each additional set of machines comprising:

a. a conduit connected to said source;

b. pneumatic means for creating an air flow from said source to its set of fiber processing machines; and

c. an electromechanical two-position vaive located in said conduit between said source and said machine, said valve being effective in a first position to open said conduit to the atmosphere and to close said conduit to said source and effective in a second po sition to close said conduit to the atmosphere and open said conduit to said source;

d. a feed duct for each of said fiber processing machines connected to said conduit;

e. gating means for selectively directing said air flow from said conduit to any one of said feed ducts: f. control means including means for sensing a need for fibers in each of said feed ducts and timer switches for controlling said two-position valve and said gating means, said control means being correlated with the control means of other additional sets of machines and the control means for said original set of machines so that only one twoposition valve associated with one source of fiber supply can be in its second position at any one 

1. Apparatus for selectively supplying fibers to a plurality of fiber processing machines comprising: a. a source of fiber supply; b. a conduit connected to said source of fiber supply; c. a feed duct for each of said fiber processing machines connected to said conduit; d. pneumatic means connected to said conduit between said source of fiber supply and said feed ducts for creating an air flow toward said feed ducts; e. an electromechanical two-position valve located in said conduit between said source and said pneumatic means, said valve being effective in a first position to open said conduit to the atmosphere and to close said conduit to said source and effective in a second position to close said conduit to the atmosphere and open said conduit to said source; f. electromechanical gating means for selectively directing said air flow from said conduit to any one of said feed ducts; g. means for sensing a need for fibers in each of said feed ducts, said sensing means including a sensor switch associated with each of said feed ducts which is actuated by a need for fibers therein; h. first timer switches, one for each of said feed ducts, which are connected in series with respective sensor switches of said sensing means, each of said first timer switches being effective for shifting said two-position valve to its second position or a period of time to initiate a feeding cycle when its corresponding sensor switch is actuated by a need for fibers; and i. second timer switches synchronized with said first timer switches for controlling said gating mEans to pneumatically connect said conduit to the feed duct whose sensor switch initiates a feeding cycle for the entire time that said twoposition valve is in said second position and for a period of time thereafter, whereby fibers are conveyed into a feed duct in which there was sensed a need for fibers for the period of time said two-position valve is in its second position followed by a purging air flow along said conduit and into said feed duct for a period of time thereafter.
 2. The fiber supplying apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said second timer switches are arranged for automatically directing air flow to each of said feed ducts sequentially.
 2. a first timer switch for each source of fiber supply, each being connected to its corresponding two-position valve;
 2. a first conduit gate for blocking and unblocking air flow to said central gate from said first source of fiber supply; and
 2. a sensor including a sensor switch for sensing fiber need therein, said sensor switch and said first timer switch being connected in series with said two-position valve for shifting said valve to its second position when said first timer switch is operative and said sensor senses a need for fiber in said feed duct and for holding said two-position valve in said second position for a first period of time; and
 2. a second solenoid operated gate for pneumatically opening and closing said conduit to feed ducts further removed from said source of fiber supply; g. control means associated with each of said feed ducts and comprising:
 2. a sensor including a sensor switch for sensing fiber need therein, said sensor switch and said first timer switch being connected in series with said two-position valve for shifting said valve to its second position when said first timer switch is operative and said sensor senses a need for fiber in said feed duct and for holding said two-position valve in said second position for a first period of time; and
 3. a second timer switch connected in series with said solenoid operated gates and effective when in operative position to open said first gate and to close said second gate, said second timer switch being operative whenever said first timer switch is operative and for a second period of time which exceeding said first period of time, whereby fibers are conveyed into said feed duct during said first period of time and there is purging air flow along said conduit and into said feed duct during the portion of said second period of time which exceeds said first period of time.
 3. a second timer switch for operating said gating means to pneumatically connect said duct to said fiber source through said conduit whenever said first timer switch becomes operative and for maintaining its pneumatic connection therewith a second period of time which exceeds said first period of time, whereby fibers are conveyed into said feed duct during said first period of time and there is a purging air flow along said conduit and into said feed duct during the portion of said second period of time which exceeds said first period of time.
 3. a second conduit gate for blocking and unblocking air flow to said central gate from said second source of fiber supply; and j. control means associated with each of said ducts comprising:
 3. a sensor including a sensor switch for sensing fiber need therein;
 3. The fiber supplying apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said source of fiber supply comprises: a. a fiber metering mechanism; b. means for conveying fiber stock to said metering mechanism; c. electrical circuitry for controlling the operation of said metering mechanism and which is operatively connected to said timer switches and said sensing means so that said fiber metering mechanism operates only when said two-position valve is in its second position.
 4. a second timer switch for each source of fiber supply, each being connected to said central gate;
 4. Apparatus for selectively supplying fibers to a plurality of fiber processing machines comprising: a. a source of fiber supply; b. a conduit connected to said source of fiber supply; c. a feed duct for each of said fiber processing machines connected to said conduit; d. pneumatic means connected to said conduit between said source of fiber supply and said feed ducts for creating an air flow toward said feed ducts; e. an electromechanical two-position valve located in said conduit between said source and said pneumatic means, said valve being effective in a first position to open said conduit to the atmosphere and to close said conduit to said source and effective in a second position to close said conduit to the atmosphere and open said conduit to said source; f. electromechanical gating means for selectively directing said air flow from said conduit to any one of said feed ducts; g. control means associated with each of said feed ducts and comprising:
 5. Apparatus for selectively supplying fibers to a plurality of fiber processing machines comprising: a. a source of fiber supply; b. a conduit connected to said source of fiber supply c. a feed duct for each of said fiber processing machines connected to said conduit; d. pneumatic means connected to said conduit between said source of fiber supply and said feed ducts for creating an air flow toward said feed ducts; e. an electromechanical two-position valve located in said conduit between said source and said pneumatic means, said valve being effective in a first position to open said conduit to the atmosphere and to close said conduit to said source and effective in a second position to close said conduit to the atmosphere and open said conduit to said source; f. electromechAnical gating means for each feed duct for which there is at least one more feed duct further removed from said source of fiber supply, said gating means comprising:
 5. a first selector switch for connecting either one of said first timer switches to said sensor switch so that when said connected timer switch is in operative position and said sensor senses a need for fiber, its corresponding two-position valve will be shifted to its second position or a period of time; and
 6. second selector switches for connecting the second timer switch which corresponds to a selected first timer switch to said source of electrical supply and to its corresponding conduit gate, said selected firsT and second timer switches being synchronized so that when said first timer switch is in its operative position, said second timer switch will be in its operative position wherein it is effective to open its conduit gate and said central gate, whereby any ratio of said fiber processing machines can be selectively supplied by said first and second sources of fiber supply.
 6. Apparatus for selectively supplying fibers to a plurality of fiber processing machines comprising: a. a first source of fiber supply; b. a second source of fiber supply; c. a conduit extending from said first source to said second source of fiber supply; d. first pneumatic means for creating an air flow in said conduit from said first source of fiber supply toward said second source; e. second pneumatic means for creating an air flow in said conduit from said second source of fiber supply toward said first source; f. a first electromechanical two-position valve located in said conduit between said first source of fiber supply and said first pneumatic means; g. a second electromechanical two-position valve located in said conduit between said second source of fiber supply and said second pneumatic means; h. a feed duct for each of said fiber processing machines connected to said conduit between said first and second sources of fiber supply; i. electromechanical gating means for each of said feed ducts comprising:
 7. The fiber supplying apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein each of said second timer switches are in operative position for a period of time beyond that of its corresponding first timer switch, whereby fibers are conveyed to its feed duct for a period and there is a purging air flow along said conduit and into said feed duct for an additional period of time.
 8. The fiber supplying apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said second timer switches are arranged to be in operative position sequentially.
 9. The fiber supplying apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein there are means for feeding additional sets of fiber processing machines from each source of fiber supply, means for feeding each additional set of machines comprising: a. a conduit connected to said source; b. pneumatic means for creating an air flow from said source to its set of fiber processing machines; and c. an electromechanical two-position valve located in said conduit between said source and said machine, said valve being effective in a first position to open said conduit to the atmosphere and to close said conduit to said source and effective in a second position to close said conduit to the atmosphere and open said conduit to said source; d. a feed duct for each of said fiber processing machines connected to said conduit; e. gating means for selectively directing said air flow from said conduit to any one of said feed ducts; f. control means including means for sensing a need for fibers in each of said feed ducts and timer switches for controlling said two-position valve and said gating means, said control means being correlated with the control means of other additional sets of machines and the control means for said original set of machines so that only one two-position valve associated with one source of fiber supply can be in its second position at any one time. 